Method of severing italian cheeses



Feb. 26, 1957 R. T. STAHL METHOD OF SEVERING ITALIAN CHEESES Original Filed Nov. 20, 1952 IN V EN TOR. Pgmond Z'J'fo/z/ B Y A TTO NE) 2,782,502 METHOD OF SEVERING ITALIAN GHEESES Raymond T. stahh -Green Bay Wis assignor'to Swift &

Company, Chicago, 11]., an corporation of- Illinois Original application November 20, 1952, Serial No. 321,615, now Patent No. 2,729,890, dated January 10, 1956. Divided and this application June 6, 1955, Serial No. 513,322

3 Claims. (Cl. 31-5) protective skin, an operation known as healing. The substitution of an ordinary extrusion chamber in loaf formation generally results in a somewhat less perfect but still necessary protective skin. It is undesirable to leave the loaf ends without the protection of the skin originally formed on the cheese surface during extrusion or hand manipulation.

When it is desired to subdivide these curd loaves into cheeses of reduced length, an ordinary knife blade generally serves the purpose. However, as a result, the protective film is severed, leaving the cheese en-d unprotected. Furthermore, if the curds are in a somewhat plastic state at this time, a dry, rigid blade will adhere and thereby cause an uneven product surface.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a method for subdividing long curd loaves into smaller cheeses without by so doing exposing the newly-cut ends.

Various other and ancillary objects and advantages will become apparent during the course of the explanation below.

Briefly, the present invention comprises: passing a loaf, sheet, or cylindrical cheese curd unit, particularly of the provolone or cacciacavallo types between the jaws of a hollow, scissors-like device having holes or slits on the in the desired severin as well as stretching the cheese skin about the newly formed loaf ends.

A complete understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring to the following description and the essential novelty.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of the provolone and cacciacavallo scissors in a partly open position.

2,782,502 Patented Feb. 26, 1957 '2 Figure 2 is affront view-of the :scissors of Figure 1 presented in a closed position.

Referring to the jaw members when pressure is applied to lines 13. Insulating jackets 14 surround the steam lines 13 so as to provide handles by which an operator may close the scissors and thereby exert mechanical pressure on the curd.

cheese units. The jaws It), pivoting on bolt 11, are forced against and into the semi-plastic curd loaf.

An important function is performed by this mechanical cutting operation beyond simply severing the product, namely, preservation of the protective film or skin, such fihn being a most necessary part of finished provolone or cacciacavallo-type cheese. By the use of the bluntrow waist-like effect results, allowing the two cheese units to be easily torn apart or, alternatively, the jaws may units so as to leave both newlyformed ends protected by a smooth, stretched, protective the easily damaged sharp corners rather the evenly-rounded ends, peculiar to newly-molded provolone and cacciacavallo result. Finally, the use of water or steam eliminates any tendency of the plastic curds to adhere to the metal surface.

Various modifications and changes in both method and such as varying somewhat the curvature suitable for use with cation, Serial No. 321,615, filed now Patent No. 2,729,890, granted I claim: 1. A method of subdividing cheese curd loaves into units of lesser length which comprises: directing jets of heated fluid pressure at the point the units become severed.

2. A method of subdividing cheese curd loaves of the provolone type into units of lesser length which comprises: directing jets of heated fluid against said curd loaf from sources which lie substantially in a single plane about 'the circumference thereof, and simultaneously applying mechanical pressure at the point of fluid pressure applicationuntil the units become severed.

3. A method of subdividing cheese .curdloaves having a protective film about the surface thereof which comprises: applying constrictive pressure at a plurality of points about the circumference of said cheese curd loaf; directing jets of heated fluid at the point of application of said constrictive pressure; and continuing the 10 application of said heated fluid together with said consubdivided.

' strictive pressure until the said curd loaf is completely Kruger Kruse Fegan Dec. 17, 1918 June 19, 1923 July 21, 1953 

